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How to Buy and use compost

A Beginner’s Guide to Buying and Using Compost What is Compost? When buying compost, many people assume it’s a simple product, but in reality, it varies widely depending on its intended use. In the UK, what we commonly call compost…

How to start growing plants

Plants are incredibly forgiving. They want to live; we just need to provide the right “conditions” for them to do their job. To avoid a gardening disaster, you need to know which group your plant belongs to. If you’ve ever…

Buying LED Lights for House Plants

Why Use LED Grow Lights? Indoor light isn’t always enough, especially in: LED grow lights give plants the right kind of light they need to make food and grow well — even when sunlight is limited. Why Use LED Grow…

House Plants need light

Understanding the most important factor in plant growth Light isn’t just something plants enjoy – it’s something they cannot live without. Every healthy leaf, root, flower, and stem depends on light. Light Is How Plants Make Food Plants don’t eat…

How to grow house plants

A simple beginner’s guide Growing house plants isn’t about having “green fingers”. It’s about understanding what plants need and giving them the right conditions. Get the basics right and most house plants will thrive. What House Plants Need to Grow…

Feeding Plants in the Ground

When feeding plants in the ground, fertiliser on its own is not the answer. Any nutrients you add to soil need help to become available to plants, and that help comes from organic matter and soil microbes. Healthy soil is…

Do I Need Fertiliser?

Fertiliser – Good or Bad? What Is Fertiliser? A fertiliser is any natural or synthetic material applied to soil or leaves to supply plant nutrients needed for growth.Fertilisers can be: Do I Need Fertiliser? The Short Answer No… perhaps and…

Buying fertiliser

What to Look for When Buying Fertilisers Buying fertiliser can feel confusing, but once you understand the basics, it becomes much easier. Fertilisers are simply mixtures of elements that plants need to grow. The key is learning to look past…

Watering plants

How Often Should I Water? The simple answer is: when your plants need it.In reality, a few key things affect this. Time of Year Size of the Plant Think of it like bathing children: How Can I Tell If a…

Damping off

Damping off is a common problem for seedlings. It’s caused by soil-borne fungi and can quickly kill young plants, often before they even fully grow. How to Spot Damping Off Why It Happens Damping off thrives when seedlings are: What…

Black Spot

Black spot is a common fungal disease in the UK, especially on roses. It causes black spots on leaves, weakens plants, and can lead to early leaf drop, but it’s manageable with careful care. How to Spot Black Spot Why…

Root rots

Root rot is a common problem in UK gardens and containers, caused by fungi or waterlogged soil. It damages plant roots, preventing them from taking up water and nutrients, and can quickly kill plants if not managed. How to Spot…

Rusts

Rust is a fungal disease that affects many UK garden plants, causing orange, yellow, brown, or black spots on leaves and stems. It’s most common in warm, damp conditions in summer and autumn. How to Spot Rust Why It Happens…

Greenfly

Greenfly (also called aphids) are tiny, soft-bodied insects that cluster on new growth, buds, and stems. They are very common in UK gardens and can weaken plants by sucking sap. How to Spot Greenfly Why They Appear Greenfly thrive when…

Caterpillars

Caterpillars are a common sight in UK gardens, especially in spring and summer. They are the larvae of moths and butterflies and feed on plant leaves. Some damage is normal, but large numbers can quickly strip plants. How to Spot…

White Fly

Whitefly are tiny white insects commonly found on the undersides of leaves, especially in greenhouses, conservatories, and sheltered patios. They weaken plants by sucking sap and can be persistent if not dealt with early. How to Spot Whitefly Why They…

Red Spider Mites

Red spider mite is a common UK pest, especially in hot, dry conditions and under cover such as greenhouses, conservatories, and sheltered patios. How to Spot It Why It Appears Red spider mite loves: What Helps Biological Control A natural…

Mildews

Mildew is a common plant disease in the UK, especially in damp, mild weather. There are two main types you’ll see in gardens and containers: Powdery Mildew What helps:Water plants regularly, avoid overcrowding, and improve air flow. Remove badly affected…

Peat Free compost

Problems with peat free compost? It might not be your fault. The UK is making significant progress toward a peat-free future, and while this is a vital step for environmental sustainability, the transition hasn’t been without its challenges—particularly for amateur…

How We Can Help You Garden More Naturally

How We Can Help You Garden More Naturally In over 40 years of horticulture, I’ve witnessed many changes in pest control and the promises of new technologies, some of which have led to environmental consequences we’re still grappling with today.…

Fungus gnat Nematode control

Fungus gnat using Nematode control Identifying your flies is essential, you can then choose the best approach Nematodes These easy to apply beneficial nematodes are mixed in water and applied to the soil around the plants you want to protect.…

Fungus gnats or Shore flies Identification

To identify the type of fly infestation in your plants, it’s important to distinguish between fungus gnats (sciarid flies) and shore flies, as they need different treatments. Key Differences Between Fungus Gnats and Shore Flies Main Giveaway: Fungus Gnats: Crawl…

How to buy and look after cyclamen

If you looked in any old gardening book the idea of using cyclamen for autumn colour would be frowned on. However things have moved on and we now have cyclamen that make perfect autumn bedding. They look like house plant…

Spring patio pots and hanging baskets

No need for your summer patio pots to be empty, you can plant them up now and you can still use them for the summer.The most important thing about planting spring planters is that it is too cold for the…

Seed sowing

Seed sowing needs preparation, a bit like bringing up a baby.A baby needs the correct food, clothes and conditions to thrive, but what they need changes as they grow. It is the same with seeds, they need a nursery to…

Autumn patio pots and hanging baskets

The most important thing about planting autumn planters is timing, if you wait until October to make up your planters, then you will find its too cold for the plants to grow. The answer is to buy fully grown plants…

How to buy plants for summer planters

Making a summer planter is very easy, you can buy fully grown plants in flower and make an instant planter. Why not try growing your own, its easier than you think. We can help you, allow some time for growing.…

Growing pea shoots

How to start growing pea shoots You can grow pea shoots, this is a very easy method. Buy some peas to sow Firstly don’t use normal garden pea seed, it may have been treated with chemicals and it won’t have…

2022 new primroses

We grow a wide range of primroses and our primrose supplier often sends us experimental varieties and colours to test. Experimental 2022 Sometimes they perform well and are added to the normal range, sometimes they are tweaked for a few…

Are we there yet?

Is it time to start filling up your greenhouse? We still have a lot of empty benches, but good news, we have saved a lot of money on heating. But we will need to start potting next week and have…

Christmas pot decorations

Ever wondered how to make a Christmas pot wreath, we can help, its easier than you think. A simple arrangement of collected or foraged foliage can give a stunning result. The pot wreaths can be any shape or size but we find…

Good Poinsettia guide

How to choose a good poinsettia plant Poinsettia plants are grown on professional nurseries, great care is taken to look after them, the feed, water, height and shape is carefully monitored, to produce the best plant possible. So why do…

Vine weevil control

Vine weevils do I need to worry? Vine weevils (also known as black vine weevils) are around 1cm in length, with long snouts and elbowed antennae. The vine weevil is native to the UK and Europe and is established throughout…

Vine weevils plant favourites

Vine weevils have favourites, find out whats on the menu So where should you look for vine weevils, often the first sign is a wilted plant, however by this point its going be too late to save them. Prevention is…

Autumn Bulbs

Spring flowering bulbs are harvested in late spring and summer and packed ready to sell in the autumn usually in September and October, but they can be sold right up to Christmas. When you water or plant the bulb, it…

How to pot for health

Potting for health Why would you keep your plant in the same pot for all of its life, surely it won’t like it. Plants can be quite happy even in very small pots, Japanese bonsai trees are an extreme example,…

How to pot for growth

Potting plants for growth This page is about moving plants from a small pot to a large pot or baby plants into their first pot.If your pot is too large to move or you only want to revitalise your plant…

How to pot

Potting plantsThere are two kinds of pottingpotting for growth or potting for health find out more Potting for growth This is like moving a baby from a cot to its first bed, you are just giving it room to grow.…

How to side shoot your tomatoes

Check your varieties, you don’t need to side shoot some types. Tall types often called cordon will grow over 2 metres, 6 foot plus, they are used by commercial growers, by the end of the season they can be over 6…

Summer planter and hanging basket ideas

Perhaps the easiest way is to choose a colour scheme Are you a frustrated designer, do you have an eye for colour and fashion. Create a colour theme we can help Making a planter or hanging basket, allows you to develop…

Choosing a summer basket

Hanging basketsOne of the most popular forms of container gardening, but judging by the amount of half dead hanging baskets you see it also has some problems.Part of the problem is conflicting advice, and a wide choice of baskets some…

Garden frost do I need to worry?

Still plenty of time for a frost I think the weather is the number 1 concern for most gardeners old and new. In the spring often as early as April, summer bedding will be on sale, sold in flower to…

Easy fill hanging baskets

How to get the best from your easy fill baskets. Some people love them and others hate them. people who love them people hate them We can helpThe first video shows how to get the best out of them and…

Tomato plants a quick way to start an argument

Growing tomato plants how difficult can it be? Nothing is quite as divisive as growing tomatoes from seeds, let us help you make some informed choices. Tomatoes what do they want. How warm should they be. What about light When…

Help I have sown my tomatoes to soon!

It is very easy to sow your tomatoes too soon, sometimes it is just excitement, sometimes bad advice, we all learn by experience.Often new gardeners, in a hurry follow the wrong advice, seed packets for instance. There are some simple…

Hardy primroses

Primroses our most popular spring flower, stunning colours and sweet scent. Now you can buy Hardy primroses in a wide range of sizes and qualities. Hardy primroses to enjoy. Breeders have reintroduced stems to give height. New hardy primroses, plant…

Managing your on-line expectations

Managing your on-line expectations During my research of on-line sellers I found a lot of angry reviews posted on line, some of these are very valid complaints, about quality and non delivery, but some are caused by misunderstanding the actual…

Selected Online offers

Special Online offersWe have checked the small print for you Special price Giant Fuchsias from Thompson & Morgan Find out more What you need to know Reasons to buy With large blooms up to 10cm (4in) across, these delightful trailing…

Protect your seedlings use plug trays

Protect your seedlings When I started gardening many years ago, seed was always sown into seed trays and followed by pricking out. Pricking out stations manned by nimble fingered ladies where found on all nurseries, their speed and skill could…

Seed sowing with a damp stick

A simple way to sow seeds singly or in clumps using only a damp stick. Sowing the seeds. Do I need a special compost?If possible buy seed sowing compost this will be finer in texture with no large lumps and…

Can I use my unheated greenhouse now?

Can I use my unheated greenhouse now? I think it depends on where you live, with experience you will find the right time, but what if you are a new gardener how will you know? The best option is to…

Time to turn up the heating

Time to turn the heating up and start potting. Our first delivery of summer plants have arrived. If you remember we warmed up the compost for a few days ready for the delivery.We are lucky our plants are delivered on…

January on the nursery

On the nursery in January The start of the new year, after Christmas it always feels a bit quiet, so we try to take some time off to recharge the batteries.January is also a good time to carry out some…

Picking a Strawberry variety

Remember when Strawberries were Sweet, juicy and full of aroma. To have perfectly ripe strawberries you need to grow your own or visit a pick your own strawberry farm.The good news is its really easy to grow your own fresh…

Easy Strawberries

Remember when Strawberries were Sweet, juicy and full of aroma. They are not quite the same nowadays, the supermarket grower has to pick them slightly under ripe to minimise wastage, they are delivered using chilled transport this also reduces the…

Buying LED grow lights

How to see the wood from the trees How to buy and compare different led lightsThere are 3 main ways of comparing them: Perhaps the 4th comparison should be brand or longevity.Brand or Budget. You usually get what you pay…

How cold can I go?

How low can I go? All plants have an Optimum Temperature As the temperature of a plant decreases, there is a point when it stops growing and developing. This temperature is called the base temperature, and varies widely among plants.…

How soon is too soon?

When to start sowing seeds, I think we are all desperate to start gardening in the spring. As a nurseryman, I believe most gardeners start too soon. Using the data from our nursery climate computer, I calculated the total sunlight…

Grey Mould or Botrytis

Time to be careful? Grey Mould or Botrytis to give it its Sunday name is always lurking about, just waiting for the perfect conditions to grow.It survives from season to season in plant debris, pots, structures in fact almost anywhere.…

How warm is it

How warm is it? The only way to find out is to measure it, the human body is useless for monitoring temperature. During cold weather, have you every come into the house and thought it was lovely and warm. Then…

Why Online sellers struggled with Covid

During the covid crisis, lots of new gardeners turned to the online sellers, however judging by the number of complaints it was not always successful. I would start by saying, we don’t sell online but have done in the past…

Sproot Blog search

Sproot blog search Choose from from the dropdown list below. How to Buy and use compost A Beginner’s Guide to Buying and Using Compost What is Compost? When… Continue Reading How to start growing plants Plants are incredibly forgiving. They…

How to Buy Primroses

Probably the most popular spring flower.Stunning colours often sweetly scented they brighten up any garden but also make great patio pots or house plants.The first flowers of spring, primula came from the Latin word Primus, meaning first. The true primrose…

Hellebores aftercare

They are prized by gardeners for their ability to flower during the winter and early spring. The plants are surprisingly frost-resistant and many are evergreen, they even grow in shade.Once very popular in the 19th century, gardeners have been drawn…

Chimonanthus Praecox Wintersweet

What could be more beautiful in the middle of winter than the unusually shaped flowers, clusters of lemon stars are dotted along the bare stems. But creep closer and the rich sweet perfume will lift the spirits on the coldest…

Sarcoccoca Christmas box

Sarcococca is one of the best for winter fragrance. Glossy evergreen foliage similar to box, provides year-round colour and structure, while the spidery winter flowers fill the garden with perfume. They are generally neat and compact making great winter patio…

Hamamelis Witch Hazel

A group of shrubs sometimes small trees, that recreate the ugly ducking story every year, fairly unattractive with hairy plain green leaves in the summer. In the autumn the leaves change to orange and yellow before revealing the unmistakable slightly…

Winter Berries

Add some winter colour to your garden with bright berries, they can also be a valuable source of food for wildlife. These unassuming plants hide their light under a bushel most of the year, then suddenly they break out colourful…

Viburnum x bodnantense

What could be more beautiful in the middle of winter than apple-blossom pink flowers to light up the darkness, but creep closer and the rich perfume will lift the spirits on the coldest days. A bit boring in the summer…

Jasminum nudiflorum

Bright canary yellow blooms smother the bare (nude) stems. Depending on the weather they can flower from January onwards, a sure sign that spring is on its way. A sheltered spot will bring the flowers out earlier. Jasminum needs some…

Mahonia

Mahonias are a popular shrub, instantly recognisable for its painfully distinctive spiky leaves. The long spikes of golden winter flowers are worth a bit of pain. The flower starts early from November through to March, releasing a strong ‘lily-of-the-valley’ perfume.…

Viburnum tinus

Probably the most reliable winter-flowering shrub, it never fails to flower. It is a versatile evergreen shrub with an upright, rounded habit. glossy dark green leaves covering the plant throughout the year. It can be trimmed and shaped early in…

Top 10 Winter Plants

The winter cold can leave the garden bare and uninviting. you need something to light up the damp, grey skies. Weirdly some plants enjoy the winter, some are small and insignificant with sweetly scented flowers, others have brightly coloured foliage…

Poinsettia

Nothing says Christmas quite like poinsettias. Bright and bold, the colourful bracts light up the winter months. The poinsettia comes from Mexico, where it grows up to 16 feet tall and creates crimson mountainsides during December. The first missionaries to…

Hardy cyclamen

True hardy cyclamen are a joy to see, a drift of colour that pops up every year to brighten up your day. Once they are settled in they can spread, throwing up masses of flowers followed by seeds that quickly…

Autumn Cyclamen

If you looked in any old gardening book the idea of using cyclamen for autumn colour would be frowned on. However things have moved on and we now have cyclamen that make perfect autumn bedding. They look like house plant…

Ornamental cabbage

The humble cabbages flamboyant cousin, usually sold in full glorious technicolour, ranging from deep purple to deep pink or pure white. They seem to glow especially in dull weather. The foliage can be flat or curly, there is also a…

Colourful Conifers

There is a conifer to suit every garden, no matter how small. They are unlike any other shrub, they provide structure, colour and interest all year round and bringing harmony to any planting scheme. They can be effective in a…

Garden Mums

Not really a plant, but the name given to autumn flowering dome-shaped chrysanths. They will be smothered in literally hundreds and hundreds of small flowers in deep, rich Autumnal shades, they make fabulous plants for outdoors, or neat little domes…

Winter stems

The ugly ducklings of the garden, boring green during the summer it all changes in the autumn when the leaves change into a blaze of colour. When they drop, the brightly coloured stems appear.Easy to grow they are like a…

Skimmia

Colourful buds form in the autumn proving long-lasting winter interest, the buds eventually open in the spring and are often scented.They prefer an acid soil to grow successfully if your soil is not suitable, they make good container plants. Vine…

Leucothoe

A compact evergreen shrub which makes an impact with beautiful autumn and winter foliage.In early spring and summer, the young leaves are fresh green or light red but when they reach the autumn they change colour, ranging from bronze to…

Winter hellebores

They are prized by gardeners for their ability to flower during the winter and early spring. The plants are surprisingly frost-resistant and many are evergreen, they even grow in shade.Often called xmas roses they are not related to roses but…

Summer spillers

A range of trailing plants used to fill in the sides of patio pots and the base of hanging baskets A range of cool summer spillers and fillersFillers back row Geranium, Petunia, Nemesia, BegoniaSpiller front Brachycombe, Lobelia, Bacopa, Mini Petunia,…

Summer fillers

A range of bushy flowering and foliage plants, to provide colour and fill up your patio pots and hanging baskets A wide range of colourful fillers for your summer planters. A rainbow of colours a perfect marriage with some taller…

Summer thrillers

A range of taller plants that are perfect for using in summer patio pots and hanging baskets, to add height and texture. A selection of colourful foliage plants, they give height and shape to your planter. A mix of hot…

Spring spillers

A range of trailing plants to provide colour and shape to your planters

Spring fillers

A range of bushy flowering and foliage plants A wide range of colourful fillers for your spring planters. A rainbow of primrose colours a perfect marriage for bright spring bulbs

Spring thrillers

A range of plants that are perfect for using in spring patio pots and hanging baskets A selection of evergreen foliage plants, hardy they give height and shape to your planter, most can be planted out into the garden next…

Autumn winter thrillers

A range of plants that are perfect for using in winter patio pots and hanging baskets A selection of evergreen foliage plants, winter hardy they give height and shape to you planter, most can be planted out into the garden…

Winter heathers

Winter heathers are really useful and are one of the few plants to reliably flower during the winter.You may find three kinds of heathers on sale during the winter, One group is from South Africa (cape heathers) and are grown…

Autumn heathers

A range of heathers that flower throughout the autumn, from the traditional purple calluna growing high on the hills to modern bud heathers and the frankly weird painted heathers, they provide instant autumn colour. The most popular autumn heathers now…

Indicator plants

A good place to start when planning your garden is neighbouring gardens, here you will find out what works in your area, this can save you expensive mistakes in the future.Go out for a walk find the best garden and…

Top 10 Summer bedding

A Tempting choice of brightly coloured flowers, bringing the promise of glorious summer days. Easy to grow summer bedding is a good choice for new gardeners You don’t even need a garden, think about planters or hanging baskets. Fast-growing and easy to look…

Top 10 house plants for beginners

House plants are great for beginners. We want you to have fun with your house plants, so I have chosen some foolproof plants to start with, they should adapt to any house. No 1 Spider plant find out more No…

Is it Hardy?

Is this plant hardy? the most commonly asked question in the garden centre. What this does this mean? as a grower I think it means, would this plant survive a normal British winter. It should be able to stand the rain,…

Which plant to choose

When you are about to buy from a selection of plants, here are some tips for choosing the best one. Even with just a little garden knowledge, you can learn how to choose good plants. Time to get up close, pick up…

Fair weather friends

Flowering House plants beautiful to look at. Lovely to meet and good company for a while, they can outstay their welcome and can become a nuisance. You can often see them in window sills, a twig with a few leaves, a…

Old faithful

House plants as friends. Foliage house plants can live a long time and positively thrive, cheaper and less demanding than a pet, they can become fantastic specimen plants. House Plants Devils ivy or Pothos They are very adaptable even in very…

How big is it?

When you buy plants online or from mail order, what you see, might not be what you get. If you remember father Ted trying to explain perspective to Dougal. Look at those tiny cows!’ says Dougal, pointing to some distant…

Should you buy it!

You would like to think nobody would deliberately sell the wrong type of plant but it does happen. Sometimes it is by accident or lack of knowledge, often it is central buyers sending in the wrong stock For instance, rhododendrons and…

Is it alive !

Having warned you about plants on display that may be dead or dying, it would be sensible to mention a range of plants that are dormant (sleeping) when you buy them. Before Garden centres came along nearly all the garden…

Summer planter ideas

It is time to think about colours, for our new gardener I think a simple hot or cool mix is probably the easiest. Using a designers colour wheel you can create a theme. Hot mix A hot mix creates a vibrant…

Late Spring bedding plants

Plants that are hardy and can be planted out without worrying about the weather, this includes viola, pansy, bellis and forget me not. I would also include spring-flowering bulbs like tete-tete and tulips. When the weather is too cold for…

Autumn & Winter Violas

They will flower longer than pansies, often well into the winter. Most Violas bought in flower during the autumn may stop flowering in the winter but they will flower again in the spring. Some extra hardy violas will flower all…

Lobelia

A very common edging or trailing plant they look good in pots and hanging baskets. Popular for its blue flowers you should try some of the other colours. Modern breeding has improved the habit and increased the flowering time of…

Osteospermum

Sun-loving plants that love a hot, dry summer. Tough, they can stand a light frost, an early flowering summer plant with a wide range of colours. Once tall and straggly with flowers that closed during dull weather, they have been…

Marguerite

Sun-loving plants that love a good summer. Marguerite or Argyranthemum to give them their Sunday name, are versatile bedding plants. If you remember the tall straggly plants that needed deadheading all the time, like canary primrose. You will be surprised…

Fuchsia

Beautiful flowers the delicate pastel-coloured bell flowers are still popular and are so versatile you can choose trailing, climbing and upright varieties which are perfect for beds, borders, containers, hanging baskets, troughs or even in the house. You will be…

Dahlia

Brightly coloured long-lasting flowers you can have small, medium and tall types they are very versatile. They prefer the sun and will need watering in dry spells. In the autumn they form a tuber that can be kept over the…

Bizzy Lizzie Impatiens

Once the number one bedding plant, its demise was sudden. When bizzie Lizzie mildew broke out, there was no chemical solution available to the public and as it was likely your plants would become infected, most nurseries and retailers stopped…

Antirrhinum

Tough sun-loving plants that can provide height to displays. Compact and upright varieties are available which makes them perfect for beds, borders and containers. Bright vibrant colors, tough enough to stand a touch of frost or cold weather, they can…

Marigolds

Sun-loving plants that enjoy a hot, dry summer. Glowing orange, red and yellow flowers make them an indispensable summer plant The best choice for Orange and yellow flowers, good in patio pots. They need the sun and don’t like the…

Petunias

Sun-loving plants that prefer a hot, dry summer. Petunias come in a wide range of colours and sizes, they make a versatile Summer plant Sold as trailing types for hanging baskets and upright varieties which are perfect for beds, borders…

Geraniums

Sun-loving plants that enjoy a hot, dry summer. Geraniums or Pelargoniums to give them their Sunday name, are versatile bedding plants for summer. Trailing types often called ivy leaf. They are perfect for beds, borders, containers, hanging baskets, troughs or…

Begonias

Begonias come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, check the label for the final height. Small flowering begonias are often sold as begonia semperflorens or bedding. The well known begonia nonstop(c) grows taller with big double flowers. There…

Summer bedding plants

Summer bedding is the planting of short-lived but fast-growing plants to provide masses of colourful flowers or foliage through the summer. The plants are normally annuals but just to confuse you, they can also be biennials, tender perennials or hardy…

Orchids

Exotic long-lasting flowers, they are very easy to look after and very Affordable offering great value for money. Orchids once very expensive and rare, they are available all year round. Some well-known ones would be Phalaenopsis, Cambria and Oncidium. Habit A wide range of…

Devils ivy or Pothos

They are very adaptable even in very deep shade with an attractive climbing or trailing habit. They can be a bit confusing to buy, now called Epipremnum, older gardeners will call them Scindapsus, the name was changed in the ’60s to Epipremnum…

Swiss cheese plant

They are very adaptable, easy to grow and small plants are inexpensive to buy Monstera deliciosa, the swiss cheese plant has been around our houses for over 100 years going in and out of fashion. Habit Famous for its deeply slashed leaves, they can…

Dragon plants

Wide range of foliage shapes and sizes. long-lasting Most dragon plants will be Dracaena, some well-known ones would be, fragrans probably the easiest to grow, marginata a very popular narrow leaf type, sanderiana often sold as lucky bamboo. Habit A wide range…

Rubber or fig plants

Wide range of foliage shapes and sizes, easy to grow and long-lasting. Ficus, some well-known ones would be, elastica the traditional rubber plant, benjamina the weeping fig with small leaves, pumila a small creeping plant and lyrata the fantastic fiddle leaf fig. Habit…

Urn shaped plants Bromeliads

Can flower for up to 3 months. Exotic looking but easy to grow. Bromeliads, some well-known ones would be Guzmania, Aechmea and Vriesea, Habit A wide range of shapes and sizes, all have an urn-shaped base with a flower spike. Designed for a…

Jade plant

Jade plants are easy to grow, they are very adaptable and can live for a long time. Crassula ovata. Habit A busy habit with fleshy stems and leaves, they can be trimmed and shaped making them a good indoor bonsai plant. Slow…

Succulents and cacti

Easy to grow, they are very adaptable and Inexpensive to buy Cacti and succulents, some well-known ones would be Aloe vera, Echeveria, Gymnocalycium, Haworthia, Kalanchoe, Sansevieria and Opuntia. Habit A wide range of shapes and sizes some do flower but most are bought for…

Ivy

Ivy is easy to grow, they are very adaptable and inexpensive to buy Hedera helix, available in a wide range of leaf colours and shapes. Habit Low growing, trailing stems that can be trained up a frame or support, but normally allowed to hang…

Spring projects

We can help you start gardening, we have some easy projects that you can start right now. They are also great for kids. Easy Strawberries Remember when Strawberries were Sweet, juicy and full of aroma. They are not quite the same…

Spider Plant “Chlorophytum”

Spider plants are easy to grow They are very adaptable Inexpensive to buy Habit Low growing, forming a crown of upright leaves, they also throw lots of runners with baby plants. If you leave the stems with the runners on, the plant will…

Box topiary

Buxus or boxwood are very popular evergreen garden shrubs. Slow growing with small glossy leaves they are perfect for trimming and shaping. Grown in huge quantities in Europe they are trimmed and shaped into balls and pyramids and offered for…

Spring Lavender

Italian and French grown plants can be sold in March the big chunky plants offer good value. The British weather can catch them out they are expecting sunshine and warm weather and may get frost and rain. Think of them…

Spring flowering hellebores

They are prized by gardeners for their ability to flower during the winter and early spring. Wide range of colours. Traditional winter rose colour but with more flowers. Beautiful long-lasting flowers and the plants are surprisingly frost-resistant and many are…

Tender vegetables

Tomatoes, peppers, chilli, cucumbers all need to be grown in a greenhouse, conservatory or plastic grow house. You can buy them now for planting later. If you don’t have somewhere to grow them, pick dwarf or windowsill types they can…

Primroses

Primroses our most popular spring flower, stunning colours and sweet scent. Available in a wide range of sizes and qualities. Special colours, plant breeding at its best. Breeders have reintroduced stems to give height. perfect indoors or outside, with bright…

Spring Violas

Quicker to flower than pansies, they are perfect for early spring sales. Two-tone flowers are popular. Plain or fancy flowers you will be spoilt for choice. They are just starting to wake up and will carry on growing to flower…

Camellia

One of those flowering plants, in full glorious flower, that you never forget. Probably on most gardeners wish lists. Often sold in bud and flower in the spring to tempt you. Look for plants with buds Who can resist the…

Azaleas

Deep glossy leaves with stunning flowers in a wide range of colours, once an incredibly popular house and garden plant they are still grown in big quantities. You can often find them on special offer. Not all azaleas are the…

Kilmarnock willow Salix

Instantly recognisable the weeping Kilmarnock willow is a popular spring plant, with its graceful weeping stems and fluffy catkins. It is actually a combination of two willows, The top is the Kilmarnock willow which is naturally weeping or spreading. This…

Rhododendrons

Stunning colours flowering in late spring in a wide range of shapes and sizes. They make good patio pot plants. Rhododenrons make great statement plants or they can be added to borders to give colour in late spring. Beautiful flowers they…

Pieris forest flame

Often called forest flame, the young spring growth is brightly coloured. Everybody’s favourite, the bright red shoots are very seductive, most gardeners will have tried to grow one. They are slightly fussy, the soil or compost should be acidic and…

Campanula

Normally summer flowering they can be forced into flower and are popular spring plants, the blue flowers and trailing stems are eye-catching. You will often find them sold as house plants and outside plants at the same time. They are…

Potted bulbs

Did you forget to buy and plant your bulbs in the autumn don’t worry, there are lots of pots on sale in the spring ready to enjoy? With potted bulbs you can enjoy spring flowers without going out in the…

Pre pack plants

Prepack plants usually filled with bare-root plants or bulbs are sold during the autumn and spring and can be good value for money. However this may not be the best time to plant out in your garden, there is still…

Plug plants

Baby bedding plants start to appear and can be very tempting. Once very popular they can be a useful alternative to buying a packet of seeds, the cost of heating a greenhouse in March and April may be the reason…

Spring bedding plants

Plants that are hardy and can be planted out without worrying about the weather, this includes primroses, viola, pansy, bellis and forget me not. I would also include spring-flowering bulbs like tete-tete and hyacinths. I think it is important to…

Mothers day

Mothers day Plants have always been a popular gift for mothers day and there is always a wide range of planters available. There are beautiful house plants and colourful outdoor pots. But with a bit of planning, you could give…

Spring Alpines

Alpines Spring flowering alpines, grown undercover to flower earlier than normal they can be a good buy, just remember they will flower later next year. Instant colour hardy enough to plant in the garden or containers, often sold on price…